Smith predicts big things for Crowell

WREXHAM manager Denis Smith reckons new midfield signing Matt Crowell has what it takes to become an outstanding player and expects the 18-year-old to be challenging for a first team place next season.

WREXHAM manager Denis Smith reckons new midfield signing Matt Crowell has what it takes to become an outstanding player and expects the 18-year-old to be challenging for a first team place next season.

Bridgend-born Crowell, who was released by Premiership side Southampton towards the end of the season just ended, has impressed during a month-long trial at the Racecourse and will put pen to paper on a one-year contract today.

And the Dragons boss could not be more delighted, saying: "He has impressed us tremendously and looks to be a very, very good player.

"We don't have a big enough squad for reserve team players and I think he is good enough to immediately push for a place in the starting line-up.

"I would expect him to get quite a few games next season and I believe that once he gets into the side, he could be hard to shift. We've had a month or so to assess him, which is long enough, and no-one has said anything but good things about him.

"He can tackle, he can pass, he can shoot and he has a hint of steel about his play and the next step is to see whether he can do that consistently.

"But I'm confident that we are signing someone who could turn out to be an outstanding player in the future."

Meanwhile, Wrexham captain Darren Ferguson was due to see a specialist last night for an update on the medial ligament injury that ruled him out of the Dragons' FAW Premier Cup triumph against Newport County.

Together with defender Steve Roberts and wing-back Paul Edwards, Ferguson will be given a rehabilitation programme for the close-season break and Smith is confident he will be fit and involved in the build-up to a new campaign when the players report back in the first week of July.

Roberts has had an operation to correct a slight bone anomaly in his heel while Edwards, who has been troubled by an ankle problem for much of the season, will also be having remedial treatment throughout the summer break.

"It's a shame for Steve because he might otherwise have been involved with the Wales squad going to the United States this week but he's had two bones rubbing together and some tissue has been inserted between them to try to sort it out once and for all," said Smith.

"We're not quite sure exactly what the problem is with Paul.

"He has seen a specialist in the past and surgery was not felt to be the answer.

"It's a matter of deciding on the best course of action in his case but rest and ankle-strengthening exercises may be all that is required."